Christmas Toy Overload? How to Organize Kids’ Gifts the Day After Christmas (Without Ruining the Magic)

Abriana Sanford
Dec 26, 2025
3 min read

If you’re reading this the day after Christmas, there’s a good chance your living room is still full of toys, your kids are happily bouncing between new favorites, and you’re wondering how on earth you’re supposed to make this all fit. Take a deep breath, you don’t need to tackle everything today.

As a professional home organizer serving families in and around Atlanta, Georgia, I always tell my clients: December 26th is about resetting, not perfection. With a few simple, realistic steps, you can bring calm back into your home without ruining the Christmas magic.

Step 1: Give Yourself 24–48 Hours Before Organizing

The day after Christmas is not the day to start purging toys. Let kids enjoy their new gifts for a day or two. This natural “test run” shows you which toys they truly love and which ones might quietly fade into the background.

December 26 tip: Designate one basket, corner, or play mat as a temporary toy zone so things don’t spread throughout the entire house.

Step 2: Create Easy Toy Zones (No Labels Required Yet)

Instead of organizing toy-by-toy, group items by type of play. This keeps things flexible and stress-free during this in-between week.

Common post-Christmas toy zones:

Pretend play (dolls, action figures, play kitchens)
Building toys (blocks, magnetic tiles, LEGO)
Creative play (art kits, crafts)
Games & puzzles
Oversized toys (ride-ons, play tents)

You don’t need to buy containers yet, just group similar items together to create instant visual calm.

Step 3: Rotate Old Toys Instead of Decluttering Right Now

If your space feels overflowing, toy rotation is the easiest solution this week. Choose a few existing toys to temporarily store away in a closet or bin. You’re not getting rid of them, just making room so new gifts can shine. In a few weeks, you can rotate them back in when excitement shifts.

This approach works especially well for families who don’t have a dedicated playroom or extra storage space.

Step 4: Use Storage That Works With Kids

The day after Christmas is a great time to notice what doesn’t work. If cleanup already feels frustrating, it’s usually a storage issue, not a behavior issue.

Look for:

Open bins instead of lids
Low shelves kids can reach
Soft baskets for quick cleanup
Simple categories (not too specific)

The easier it is, the more likely it’ll happen, even during busy holiday weeks.

Step 5: Make Gentle Space for What Came In

Once the initial excitement settles (often later this week), do a soft review.

Ask:

Are there toys they’ve clearly outgrown?
Do you now have duplicates?
Are there broken or incomplete toys?

Keep it light and collaborative. A small donation bin tucked away makes this process feel natural, not forced.

Step 6: Set a “New Toy, New Home” Habit

Before school and routines return, establish one simple rule:

Every toy gets a home.

This small habit, started right after Christmas, sets the tone for a calmer year ahead.

Need Help With a Post-Christmas Reset?

If the thought of organizing toys feels overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. I work with families throughout Atlanta, Georgia to create functional, beautiful play spaces that support real life, especially during busy seasons like the holidays.